East London Weekend Staycation Guide
Where to Stay, Eat and Explore in East London
I’ve been making the most of staycations this year and using this Summer to explore all those sites and landmarks which are within easy reach.
London in particular has a wealth of destinations to explore, each area offering something different. So I decided to spend one sunny weekend in East London - here are my top tips on how to fill your weekend in this vibrant part of our capital city.
Where to Stay
Hyatt Place City East
Located just a few steps from Aldgate East station, this modern hotel is the perfect place to stay when exploring East London. It is literally a few minutes walk away from iconic sights in the area, including Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Shoreditch.
With over 280 rooms, this is a large and spacious hotel. Many of the rooms offer exceptional views across the capital, The Gherkin and Canary Wharf. We were lucky enough to stay in a room with a private outdoor balcony and breathtaking views of the City of London.
Some floors are designated pet-friendly, and all the cleverly-designed twin, double and king rooms feature a dedicated workspace, smart TV, free Wi-Fi and contemporary furniture.
For families and groups visiting the hotel, some rooms include sofa beds to offer additional occupancy.
The onsite facilities are spot-on, as you’ll find a restaurant, bar, co-working areas/lounges, and the hi-tech 24 fitness centre.
I was impressed with the stylish and modern aesthetic of the hotel, as well as the friendly nature of the staff. The facilities were also a great addition, and with the on-site bar and restaurant, there's almost no need to leave the hotel!
Where to Eat
Zoom East
Zoom East is the new restaurant at Hyatt Place London City East. Located on the lower ground floor, the restaurant opens out into The Orangery – a bright, conservatory featuring a lifelike lush green wall.
The menu here is inspired by the food and culture of the Italian island of Sicily and offers a host of specialty dishes.
We sampled a delicious tasting menu consisting of arancini, parmigiana, and fresh crab linguini, with paired wine. The food here is authentic and made with quality ingredients, making Zoom East a welcome addition to the East London dining scene.
Cocktails at PocketSquare Rooftop Bar
On the ninth floor of Hyatt Place London City East you'll find their on-site bar PocketSquare. The cocktail menu is always changing here and that’s what I love about this bar. The mixologists specially curate drinks according to different themes, all of which have a story to tell.
This rooftop bar also boasts a terrace which offers views of Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Spitalfields, making this a great place to go when the sun is shining.
There’s also a good selection of bar snacks of offer to line the stomach with if needed!
La Fauxmagerie Cheese Cellar
The creation of sisters Rachel and Charlotte - La Fauxmagerie is the UK’s first plant-based cheesemonger.
Located just off Brick Lane, this is a must-visit destination, to sample an array of dairy free cheeses included Camemvert, Bluffala, Fetamorphosis and Goat-ee.
Book a table in The Cheese Cellar for their wine and cheese pairing which takes place in the cosy and atmospheric basement.
There is a ground floor deli where you can buy some of theses cheeses to take home too.
Beigel Bake - Brick Lane
The oldest bagel shop you’ll find, Beigel Bake is infamous for its salt beef bagel. Open 24 hours and known for traditional Jewish-style filled bagels, this is the place to stop for a quick snack.
Bewarned of the peak time queues which can run all the down the street!
Truman Brewery Food Market
The famous food hall accommodates over 40 of the most eclectic street food traders. The offering ranged from Ethiopian Injera bread to Korean 'Dak-kkochi' skewers as well as drinks, snacks and sweet treats.
Here you’ll find the authentic taste of a range of cuisines, making it a food hall worth visiting.
Open on Sunday
Find our more on the website.
What to See
Whitechapel Gallery
The Whitechapel Gallery is a public art gallery showing temporary exhibitions as well as hosting talks and events. There’s always a range of exhibitions to explore usually consisting of modern and contemporary art.
It’s a great place to spend a few hours and it also has a fantastic cafe and restaurant on site.
Tower Bridge Glass Walkway
This is a fantastic way to experience one of London’s iconic landmark. The glass floor at the Tower Bridge offers an incredible birds-eye view of London from all angles. I loved gazing out onto the city and watching the black cabs, red buses and river boats passing by.
You can also discover the history of the site including the stories behind the people who built and ran the Bridge as well as experiencing the Engine Rooms.
The highlight is the glass walkway which makes for a great photo opportunity too!
Brick Lane Market
Take a walk around Brick Lane where you’ll discover a host of places to explore. There are vintage clothes stands, book stands and so much more.
Explore Spitalfields Market
This market for independent vendors is perfect to find vintage clothing, jewellery, home items, art and gourmet food products too.
There are a bunch of restaurants on-site as well as food stands and they even hosts events here too.
Columbia Road Flower Market
This fantastic flower market takes place every Sunday morning and it is a great place to pick up some foliage for your house of garden.
Even if you’re not in the market for flowers, Columbia Road is lined with boutique stores include coffee shops, homeware stores and a few restaurants too - making this a great place to visit on a Sunday.
Open on Sundays
Find out more on the website.
What are your favourite places to explore in East London?
In association with Hyatt Place City East, all opinions are my own.
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